Monthly Archives: September 2025

Review Card & Book Review- His Small-Town Catch By Kaylie Newell

A will. A recovery. And a reunion with the love of his life.

Professional fisherman Beau Evers’s biggest passion is his sport—or so he thinks. Until an injury and his grandfather’s death bring him back to Christmas Bay, the hometown he’d worked so hard to escape…and face-to-face with Summer Smith, the college fiancée he’d left behind. The will decrees he stay in town for a year and run the family business with his cousins. His heart dictates reuniting with Summer, no matter what the cost. But Summer isn’t easily swayed—even as Beau’s passionate kisses bring back intimate memories. Can she open herself up to trusting him…and risk her heart in the process?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender and emotionally rich story about second chances, personal growth, and rediscovering love where you least expect it. Set in the cozy and endearing coastal town of Christmas Bay, the novel follows Beau Evers, a professional fisherman whose fast-paced life is interrupted when an injury and the death of his grandfather force him to return home.

Back in Christmas Bay, Beau learns that his grandfather’s will has a surprising condition—he must stay in town for a year and help run the family’s antique store with his cousins. It’s the last place Beau imagined himself, but things get even more complicated when he crosses paths with Summer Smith, his former fiancée, the woman he left behind years ago.

Summer has made a quiet life for herself in Christmas Bay, pursuing her passion for refinishing furniture after leaving the hustle of her big-city career. She’s wary of Beau at first, still carrying the emotional scars from when he walked away. But as they’re thrown together through their work at the store, old sparks start to reignite. Despite their past, their chemistry is undeniable—and so is the emotional pull between them.

As Beau settles into the rhythm of small-town life, he begins to see the value in community, family, and the kind of love that endures. Summer, too, must confront her lingering feelings and decide if she’s willing to take a risk on Beau again. Their journey is full of warmth, vulnerability, and heartfelt moments. This is a sweet, satisfying romance that explores how sometimes, going back is the only way forward. Fans of emotional, second-chance love stories with a strong sense of place and family will find plenty to love in this heartfelt read.

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Happy Publication Day- 14 September 2025

The Boy Next Door By Sian O’Gorman

You’ve only got one life, so make sure you LOVE it!

Journalist Claudia Kelly loves her work at one of Dublin’s best magazines but when she is tasked with editing Irish Man, she’s unsure she’s up to the big job.

But when her former childhood neighbour, the handsome artist Johnny Hogan returns home, he and Claudia immediately resume their old friendship and he encourages her to take the role.

With an impending hostile boardroom takeover, Claudia is forced to pick a side whilst navigating her mother’s new romance and her sister Fiona’s earth-shattering secret. With a dysfunctional team to manage and new skills to learn, she has to draw on an unknown inner strength.

But why is the mysterious Brian O’Brien, a former friend of her late father, back in their life? And why has the company’s chairman so much faith in her? Can Claudia finally open a new page on a happier life for them all?

Review Card & Book Review – The Payback Plan By Amy Andrews

Karma’s here to stay!

When fate strands Paige Parker at O’Hare airport during a snow storm little does she know her misfortune is the beginning of a wild and life-changing adventure. Because when she meets three complete strangers, they quickly bond over shared tales of betrayal and heartbreak. And just for fun, they concoct a scheme to exact sweet revenge on their exes!

Except when the plan becomes a reality, Paige finds herself in Cornwall with Olly Prendergast. Son of a movie star, grumpy recluse and responsible for jilting his fiancé on their wedding day with a text message. The payback plan has begun! Step one: move into his spare room and disrupt his peace and quiet. Step two: bring a pet hamster, adopt a dog and let chaos run loose. Step Three: unapologetically make a mess in his pristine house at every opportunity. Step 4: Show Mr Grumpy what fun looks like!

But Paige is unprepared when the plan begins to backfire and she starts to see the man behind the reputation. And when she can’t ignore their undeniable chemistry anymore Paige has to battle with the secret she’s been keeping from Olly and loyalty to her friend and The Karma Club…

About The Author

My Review

The story begins when Paige Parker finds herself stuck at O’Hare Airport during a snowstorm. What starts as a frustrating delay turns into a life-changing moment when she meets three other women, each nursing fresh wounds from failed relationships. As they swap stories over drinks, they realize their exes deserve a little karma—and they form The Karma Club, a pact to help each other deliver some well-earned payback. Paige’s mission leads her to Cornwall, where she’s tasked with shaking up the life of Olly Prendergast, a broody recluse who humiliated his ex-fiancée by dumping her via text on their wedding day. Determined to make him squirm, Paige infiltrates his quiet life, bringing with her an entourage of animals, chaos, and her own emotional baggage. But as she gets to know Olly, she discovers that not everything is as it seems—and the lines between revenge and real feelings start to blur.

What sets this book apart is the balance between laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt emotional arcs. Paige is a standout heroine—fierce, flawed, and deeply relatable. Her journey of reclaiming her confidence and learning to trust again is both inspiring and touching. The female friendships are also a highlight, showing how strangers can become chosen family. With its charming setting, sparkling banter, and themes of healing, forgiveness, and friendship, The Payback Plan is a warm, satisfying read that’s perfect for fans of romantic comedies with emotional depth. It’s an uplifting start to a promising new series.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Chance Worth Taking By Clare Swatman

One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told.

With Miranda’s children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.

So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.

Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, uplifting novel about fresh starts and self-discovery at 49. After a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams prompt Miranda to track down a recurring figure from her subconscious, she embarks on a journey of reinvention. The first half of the book is vibrant, bolstered by the warmth and humor of her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie, while also exploring the courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone. However, the latter half shifts focus to predictable romantic detours—with a relationship with Jay and communication issues with Matt—that leave the reviewer wishing for more emphasis on Miranda’s personal growth beyond simply finding “the one.” Despite this, ’the engaging writing and the book’s themes of love, fate, and second chances make it a warm, enjoyable read, recommended for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – A Fresh Start At Polkerran Point By Cass Grafton

They’ve both been burned by love before, but will they take a second chance?

A year on from the demise of an unhappy marriage, Kate Stretton grabs the opportunity to move to the other end of the country and start afresh in Cornwall with her teenage daughter, Mollie. Unused to the slower pace of life, Kate leaps at the chance to take on Polkerran Point’s ailing annual arts and music festival.

Soon, though, she locks horns with local Rick Devonshire, the main sponsor for the festival. Rick’s marriage has fallen apart in spectacular fashion, and the last thing he needs is Kate pushing to go against the festival’s traditions.

Between unhelpful locals, taunting messages from her ex and trying to be present for her daughter, Kate’s life is rapidly spiralling out of her control. It will take the whole village to make the festival a success, but with her determination and growing friendship with Rick, she might just do it…

About The Author

My Review

Cass Grafton’s latest visit to Polkerran is a warm, uplifting tale of new beginnings, family, and the power of community.

Kate, reeling from the end of her marriage, takes on an events role at The Point Hotel. Though the job is less demanding than her past career, it offers her a chance to heal, spend time with her old friend Anna, and settle into village life with her teenage daughter, Mollie. When Kate impulsively agrees to organise the village festival, she finds herself at the centre of both chaos and camaraderie.

Her path soon crosses with Rick “Dev” Devonshire, a single father with a troubled young son and his own raw wounds from the past. Their slow-burn romance, filled with obstacles and heartache, is tenderly drawn and deeply engaging. Supporting characters—whether the wise Mollie, vulnerable Theo, or Dev’s memorable grandfather Ryther—add richness and depth.

Brimming with Cornish charm, quirky villagers, and emotional honesty, A Fresh Start at Polkerran Point is a delightful, heartfelt story that celebrates resilience, second chances, and the joy of finding love and belonging.

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Review Card & Book Review- Still The Greek’s Wife By Emmy Grayson

What his wife wants:
A night with her husband!

Tessa. My marriage to Greek billionaire Rafael Drakos wasn’t the whirlwind union I desperately wanted it to be. Discovering that opened my eyes to how sheltered my existence really is. I’ll no longer deny myself the love and passion I deserve—so I want a divorce…

Rafe. My convenient bride can’t have what she wants…yet. Not until we’ve been wed a year and I can inherit my birthright. Still, I don’t expect what innocent Tessa requests in return: a wedding night. Or the wildfire of raw need it unleashes in me!

About The Author

My Review

This is a witty romance featuring Tessa and Rafe, whose arranged marriage forces them to confront past traumas and unexpected feelings. Tessa, a resilient woman who overcame partial paralysis and now designs accessible home solutions, agrees to extend her marriage with Rafe—a billionaire burdened by his abusive dead father’s strange stipulations—when he appears in Paris to convince her. With the condition that he becomes her first lover, Rafe reluctantly calculates the pros and cons before their passionate escape to Greece. As they share tender, awkward, and transformative moments, Rafe is forced to confront his inability to love, while Tessa learns that deep affection can blossom even from a marriage of convenience. The book blends humor, cultural charm, and heartfelt emotion to show that sometimes the most unconventional unions lead to true, lasting happiness.

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Happy Publication Day – 12 September 2025

The life She Could Have Lived By Laura Pearson

What if the answer to one little question could change your whole life?

Soon after Anna goes on the best date of her life with a man called James – she and her best friend Nia visit a fortune teller, who tells Nia that she will have one great love. But all she tells Anna is that her future is with a man whose name begins with a J.

It won’t be James though – he never calls. And then Anna meets Edward – gorgeous, kind, loving. He’s all she’s ever dreamed of. Until he asks her to make a choice about their future.

If Anna says ‘yes’ to him, her life will go one way. If she says ‘no’, it’ll go another. Both of the worlds could be happy. Both of the worlds could be heartbreaking… But as Nia meets her one great love in both worlds, which of Anna’s answers – yes or no – will bring her life together with the person who she’s fated to be with?

Review Card & Book Review- Happy Ever After At The Second Chances Sweet Shop By Hannah Lynn

Love is in the air…

After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.

But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.

For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…

About The Author

My Review

Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn is a charming, cozy romance that delights with its blend of heartfelt second chances and sugary whimsy. Set against the backdrop of a quaint small-town sweet shop, the novel finds its magic not only in confections but also in the possibility of new beginnings and unexpected love.

The story follows Holly, who, after Evan’s death, has settled into a new norm—one marked by resilient acceptance and the occasional eye roll at her good friend Giles as he dates a string of women who never quite measure up. That is, until Giles suddenly proposes to his latest girlfriend, a woman who is, for all intents and purposes, clearly the wrong match for him. Holly’s reaction—a mix of genuine concern, lingering jealousy, and disbelief—adds a delicious twist to the story, which make me to question why she feels so conflicted when it seems that Giles should be the one learning the true meaning of love.

This book is crisp, engaging prose breathes life into the sweet shop and its colorful cast of characters. Familiar faces and quirky interactions—like Holly’s exasperated amusement at Giles’s dating escapades—create an atmosphere that is both light-hearted and emotionally resonant. The book is a fun, quick read that revels in the charm of everyday life, reminding us that sometimes the sweetest moments come wrapped in the complexities of friendship, loss, and love rediscovered.

Overall, it is an uplifting celebration of love, resilience, and fresh starts—a delightful treat for anyone in need of a little extra sweetness in life.

My Rating

Link To Purchase